Hi, I’m looking for suggestions on guide alignment on a 4 piece fly rod blank. Do you add the guides to each piece then make sure they align with each other **on that individual piece** or do you add them to the entire length of the fly rod blank and align them all together at the end. Thank you.

I always align the peices first, and then I attach all the peices and double check the entire rod.

Line up each piece on the straightest axis Mark the top Guides go underneath Put the pieces together and check Adjust if needed Easy to find a good spacing chart put the guides on to it Put the rod together and static test Adjust The handle assembly goes before the guides

Tape the ferrules so they don't split before testing or bending

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2016 12:45PM by bill boettcher.

Bill,
In addition to your comments, I wrap the ferrules before doing any guide placement or alignment. I am going to wrap the ferules anyway so I just do it first to insure that there is not an issue with blanks splitting or cracking.

Be safe

before you apply the finish always do a total rod inspection for alignment of guides an reel seat with tip top on ,

William Sidney
AK

After marking placement and adjusting placements from static test on whole assembled blank, I build out each section individually (guide and ferrule wraps). After doing all the sections, I assemble the rod, check for alignment and mark each section with alignment dots. My customers really like the alignment dots, and have brought me factory rods and asked that I add them to them.

I only build fly rods.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2016 10:18PM by Phil Erickson.

I got a 10' 6" rainshadow for light surf fishing. Built and sold 6 in the last few months to people who liked mine. You have to wrap the ferrule or it will split? Not familiar using 2 piece rod in the salt here. Everything is 1 piece.Uh-oh

With today's blanks the general indication by blank manufacturers is that you really don't need to wrap the ferrule, but since the wrap adds just a touch of contrast, it only takes a few minutes and adds a great deal of security in my mind - why not wrap and coat the blank to insure the avoiding of blank splits.

Be safe

Sheridan - Most of the modern 2 or multiple piece rod blanks do not require the use of a ferrule wrap. This fact was recently published in Rodmaker magazine. Still many rod builders wrap ferrules out of habit, aesthetic reasons, or extra security. So don't worry.
Norm

Phew! Thanks